Newbie-i think i need help!

[happychem]

For me, an aquarium without plants is just a fish tank. However, I suggest that you fist get your tank cycled and the *mystery* of water chemistry sorted out before adding live plants.

Planted tanks are wonderful and it's quite possible to have a low light tank with very little hands on care required (see 18g tank in my sig) and very little algae.

It all comes down to tank set up and maintenance. Your tank is definitely overstocked, and that's a very common newbie mistake so don't feel badly about it.

If you're not ready to get a bigger tank just yet, IMO bigger than 20g for the two moores. I'd recomend finding an lfs or local pond enthusiast who will take the moores off your hands. Then restock with some smaller fish researched from the fish profile databases available here and elsewhere. One tip on using internet resources though is to make sure that you always have more than one so that you can double check. If the info doesn't match (or at least come very close) find another source(s) to confirm or ask here which is correct/more appropriate.

 

[o_cat_o]

well id been doing about 40% water changes every 2-3 weeks, but no, iv never vacuumed tha gravel. and im looking for a larger tank. hopefully a suitable sized one (somehwere between 15-20g ok?) will come up on ebay within driving distance from me(so i can go pick it up). and tomoro iol be getting my own test kit i hope...about how much do you think a test kit will cost?

 

[Kasakato]

The test kit is $12.99 at www.bigalsonline.com Click on the "test kits" tab.

Even 20g is a bit small. Something more like 40-50++g would be better.

You will want to be doing twice weekly, 50-75% with gravel vacs. The reason for so much is that goldfish are messy.

 

[o_cat_o]

really, thats big? i thought black moors didnt get any bigger than about 12cm? lost of people are saying different things....
but yes, they are messy, so il definately be changing the water more regularly.

 

[Holly9937]

20g is better than what they have now, but 30g would ideally be the minimum 2 goldfish are kept in. The biggest you can get is the best It seems like alot of people are selling tanks right now, keep your eyes open!!

 

[denali1234]

Kas, I have to disagree. Black Moors only get about four to five inches long. A 40 - 50 gallon tank for two goldfish and two algae eaters that get to about three inches??????? That is some overkill. 20 would be just fine. Goldfish are messy, but 10 gallons for each of them is enough for them to live out happy lives. :sim:

 

[Kasakato]

He, ya I was thinking of the other goldfish tread. But still..the bigger the tank the better. Get the biggest one you can!

 

[happychem]

It has more to do with waste production than size, cat. Moore's keep small so unlike common goldies they can actually be kept in aquariums, but they need that 15g of water per fish to dilute the waste produced.

It is tank sellin' season though, as people go on vacations or get frustrated with the heat/work involved. Check your local bargain listing and used pet gear listings frequently and be choosy!